2013 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's Final 7-Round Predictions

There are 254 picks in the 2013 NFL draft, and I'll be lucky to get 10 of those picks right in this final mock draft.

More so than ever before, this mock draft was incredibly difficult to write. In a class with very flat talent amongst the elite players and even more flat talent among the other tiers, we can expect to see many trades—I would predict a record number, actually. One trade into or out of the top 10 will completely ruin even the best-prepared mock draft.

The purpose of this final seven-round mock draft isn't for accuracy—an accurate mock draft is about luck, not any kind of skill—but rather it is to show where I feel players will be drafted and which positions teams will target. This isn't a "what I would do" mock draft, but "what I feel teams will do" when the first round kicks off on Thursday night.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

I have been predicting this pick for so long, and every move the Chiefs have made this offseason points to a left tackle being the pick here if they keep this selection. The only surprise would be Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) going over Luke Joeckel.

My feelings on Joeckel are well-known. I believe he's a top-tier left tackle prospect—the best I've seen, in fact—and a player who can be a Joe Thomas-like presence on the edge of the Kansas City offensive line.

Thanks to trades and free agency, the Chiefs don't have that many pressing needs on the roster, but this is one of them. Whether they keep Branden Albert for the 2013 season or not—and I don't think they will—Joeckel is the right pick for Andy Reid and John Dorsey.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Geno Smith would not be my pick at No. 2 overall, but the Jaguars haven't called for my opinion—not yet, at least. Were the pick mine, Oregon's Dion Jordan would be shopping for homes in Jacksonville next weekend.

But the pick isn't mine, and from owner Shad Khan all the way to head coach Gus Bradley, there is a buzz surrounding Geno Smith that is radiating from the building. This isn't the regime that drafted Blaine Gabbert, and their responsibility to him carries no loyalty beyond his paycheck. Smith would bring about the harsh reality that is Gabbert's ending tenure with the Jaguars.

In a crop of weak quarterbacks, Smith is far above the competitors. But if you asked me to stake my job security on his ability to play quarterback in the NFL, I'd pass.

3. Oakland Raiders

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DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

The Oakland Raiders have done an admirable job remaking the defense through free agency. General manager Reggie McKenzie has added eight new potential starters to the roster, but the one position that he hasn't addressed is the pass-rushing defensive tackle that is needed in Dennis Allen's 4-3 scheme.

Floyd can be that pass-rushing presence in the Oakland front four. With his first-step quickness and pure pass-rushing acumen, he has the talent to step into this remade defense and become a star in the middle of the field.

I compared Floyd to Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals, and if the Raiders can get that type of player here, they have to take the chance on him.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

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OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

The Philadelphia Eagles will have a tough decision to make with the No. 4 overall pick, and it could be said that the team holds the true wild card for this year's draft. If they keep the pick, it seems like Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman will go with a familiar face.

Dion Jordan is a natural athlete, and he fits the team's need for versatile defenders. You could argue that, with Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Trent Cole and Vinny Curry all potentially lining up at outside linebacker, this is not a major need any longer, but Jordan is different than the aforementioned players.

With his length, speed and raw athletic ability, Jordan can be a difference maker at the outside linebacker position.

5. Detroit Lions

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LT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

The Detroit Lions can hope and pray that Eric Fisher is still on the board for them at pick No. 5.

There may be smokescreens put out that the Lions prefer a cornerback or defensive end here, but if Fisher is available, he has to be the pick. Whether it's a "best player available" philosophy or a need-based pick, he should be the guy.

The team drafted Riley Reiff in the first round last year, but he is a better prospect at right tackle, or even at guard. Drafting Fisher allows the Lions some flexibility in replacing their two starting tackles from 2012 (Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus).

With Luke Joeckel off the board, the Lions would still be in great position to draft a sure-fire top-five player, and one that some feel is the best overall player in this year's class.

6. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have a new regime, and owner Jimmy Haslam and GM Mike Lombardi have done a good job rebuilding the team through free agency—but the job is far from done.

With the No. 6 overall pick in the first round, there is a good chance that the Browns will trade out of the pick and instead look to recoup the second-round pick they forfeited by drafting wide receiver Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft last year. If that's the case, forget about Dee Milliner here. They could be paving the way for a tackle-hungry team to move up for Lane Johnson.

If the Browns do keep the pick, Milliner should be their guy. Not only is he a need at the cornerback spot opposite Joe Haden, but he's the type of physical cover man with whom Ray Horton can work wonders. Sure, there are needs at outside linebacker and the potential of a Jabaal Sheard trade, but as of Monday morning, this looks like a Dee Milliner destination.

7. Arizona Cardinals

Lane Johnson is a coveted man, and that could lead to widespread panic as clubs attempt to move up the board on draft day to try and get the Oklahoma left tackle.

It's widely assumed that Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher will be gone after the first five picks, so teams outside that range that need a left tackle will be looking at scenarios that will allow them to move up to the No. 6 overall pick for a shot at Johnson ahead of the Cardinals.

In a mock draft without predicted first-round trades, Arizona gets lucky with its man still on the board. Johnson is a rare athlete for the position, and he already shows great anticipation and balance for a young tackle. His experience at tight end, defensive end and even quarterback make him a better all-around player.

That's what the Cardinals need at a position that has been unsteady over the last five seasons.

8. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills could go in a number of directions with pick No. 8, and depending on how much they like the quarterback prospects available, we could see the first real surprise of the draft here. That said, there is not a quarterback other than Geno Smith worth selecting inside the top 10. The Bills can instead look for a player who can help the quarterback.

Tavon Austin is this year's most exciting player on offense, hands down. He's a playmaker in space and a dynamic runner any time he has the ball in his hands. There will be concerns about his size and the notion that he's "only" a slot receiver, but it's rare to see a player this fluid and this aggressive.

If the Bills don't go quarterback at No. 8, Austin should be their man.

9. New York Jets

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OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

The New York Jets have a bit of a mess on their hands. Head coach Rex Ryan told us at the NFL Scouting Combine that he wanted an "aggressive defense," and as of now, there is not an aggressive linebacker on the roster that can pressure the backfield.

It's tough projecting what a first-year general manager like John Idzik will do in this situation—or how much his decision will be influenced by Ryan—but the easy answer is that the Jets are likely to look long and hard at the pass-rushing options available to them with the No. 9 pick.

Barkevious Mingo scares me as a prospect. On one hand, he's extremely athletic and has just started to scratch the surface in terms of what type of player he can be, but he's also very raw and was used largely as a situational pass-rusher until his senior season. Can someone with so little production be asked to produce in the NFL?

We'll find out soon enough, but Mingo's upside is enough for the Jets to make him their pick here.

10. Tennessee Titans

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FS Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

The Tennessee Titans have long been linked to offensive guard Chance Warmack with the No. 10 overall pick, but looking at the moves made in the offseason—signing Andy Levitre and Robert Turner—it's hard to see them drafting another guard this high.

While the interior of the offensive line may still need an upgrade, the secondary deserves the most attention early in the first round. With George Wilson and Bernard Pollard added via free agency, the team has hitters; now, they need coverage.

Kenny Vaccaro is a unique player in that he's able to play free safety, strong safety or nickel cornerback. That's the versatility that the Titans need in their defensive backfield. He's a smooth operator in the open field and could play either as a starter or sub-package player until the team moves on from the disappointing Michael Griffin.

11. San Diego Chargers

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DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

The San Diego Chargers are in a position to draft the best player available—excepting quarterbacks—but their hope has to be that a left tackle will be available. Since it is very unlikely that a tackle will fall to No. 11, consider San Diego a prime target to trade out of this spot with a team wanting to move up for a pass-rusher or a cornerback.

Should the Chargers keep the pick, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei may be too good to pass up. He would be a true "best player available" pick, but he would also help fill a need on a talented young defensive line. Lotulelei can play nose tackle in a three-man front, and in passing situations he's able to kick down to a 3-technique and rush the quarterback.

With San Diego expected to stay in a 3-4 scheme, at least for now, Lotulelei's value as a middle-of-the-line, scheme-versatile player would be too much for the team to pass up.

12. Miami Dolphins

Ziggy Ansah opposite Cameron Wake? AFC East offenses won't want to see that, and depending on how the Dolphins feel about their left tackle situation, it may or may not happen.

The Dolphins are in a truly unique situation with pick No. 12, and they have to be considered a favorite to both trade up and back, depending on who is available. With two second-round picks and two third-round selections, general manager Jeff Ireland has the ammunition to make a play up the board if he wants to try and move up for Lane Johnson. He could also ship a second-rounder to Kansas City for Branden Albert.

If the Dolphins stay here at No. 12, Ansah makes the most sense. This would lead us to believe that they are comfortable with adding an offensive tackle in another fashion.

While the cornerback position could also be worth addressing here, adding a true pass-rusher like Ansah to play right defensive end is too good to pass up. Also, with the depth that this class has at cornerback, the Dolphins can feel good about waiting for a player in Round 2. The same cannot be said at defensive end.

13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The New York Jets traded Darrelle Revis, the NFL's best cornerback, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, opening up a big need in the New York secondary. In return, the Jets gained another first-round pick. With that pick, they'll have options.

Kyle Wilson is a solid No. 3 cornerback, but the team doesn't want him forced into a role as a starter opposite Antonio Cromartie. Instead, they can use the pick obtained from Tampa Bay to replace Revis.

Trufant is the best man-coverage cornerback in this year's class, and he has the speed and instincts to step right into an NFL defense and start. That instant impact makes him a great fit in the Jets' physical coverage schemes.

14. Carolina Panthers

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DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

The Carolina Panthers have a gaping hole at defensive tackle, and with the way the board is setting up ahead of them, they could be lucky enough to find Missouri's Sheldon Richardson waiting for his name to be called at this spot.

Richardson is a rare athlete for a 300-pound defender. He moves like an outside linebacker in space and has a non-stop motor when attacking the offensive line. He was often a one-man wrecking crew on the Mizzou defensive line, and that's exactly what the Panthers need on the inside to draw blocking attention away from Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.

If Richardson is available, he should quickly be the pick as a best player available and need selection.

15. New Orleans Saints

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OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

The New Orleans Saints' transition to a 3-4 defense has come with many new additions in the offseason, and with the support of some mainstays from the 2012 roster, they have the basis of what looks like a solid defense.

The only thing that's missing is a proven pass-rusher. And while a rookie cannot be fairly called "proven," Jarvis Jones has the talent to be an impact player coming off the edge in Rob Ryan's defense. No disrespect meant to Junior Gallette or Victor Butler, but Jones has top-five talent.

Medical history will make predicting Jones' landing spot tough. If healthy, he might be a top-five pick, but his spinal stenosis condition will make his draft grade different from team to team. The Saints took a chance on Drew Brees when no other team was willing to, and if they're willing to gamble again, they could land the draft's best defender.

16. St. Louis Rams

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OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

A sure-fire top-five player in this year's class when based on talent and not positional value, Chance Warmack's draft position is likely to be much lower than his pre-draft ranking. Similar to what happened with David DeCastro in the 2012 draft, teams don't value interior offensive linemen early in the first round.

That may benefit Warmack, as he'll find himself on a better team early in his career than if he were drafted early. In St. Louis, he could be an ideal fit as the team's left guard, lining up next to Pro Bowler Jake Long to round out a suddenly dominant offensive line.

The Rams have other needs that may be considered here—like wide receiver and outside linebacker—but the value of Warmack and the fact that he fills a major need make it likely that he would be the pick if available.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been rumored to be interested in the top pass-rushers in this year's class. With Florida State pass-rusher Bjoern Werner making a perceived drop down boards in the month before the draft, there's a good chance that the Steelers could find themselves in a position to add a powerful edge rusher at No. 17.

Werner isn't a natural fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he is powerful at the point of attack and has the bull-rush talent to drive back blockers on the edge. He doesn't have Von Miller quickness, but few prospects do. Werner has enough flexibility and leg drive to win on the edge, especially as a strong-side outside linebacker.

18. Dallas Cowboys

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OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

The Dallas Cowboys could go in one of three directions here: offensive line, safety or defensive tackle. Jerry Jones and his crew need upgrades at all three positions, and in a draft loaded at each of those spots, they will have options.

Cooper is versatile enough to play guard or center, and he has the athleticism to play well in a zone blocking scheme as a pulling guard or in a man system. On some draft boards, he's even rated higher than Chance Warmack.

The Cowboys need the infusion of talent on the interior of the line, and while they also need help at safety and defensive tackle, the drop-off for those positions in Round 2 is not as great as it is at guard.

19. New York Giants

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TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Tyler Eifert is a fan favorite in the 2013 draft class, thanks to his sure hands and lunchpail work ethic over the middle of the field. That's the type of player the New York Giants need at tight end after losing Martellus Bennett in free agency.

Eli Manning does a great job scanning the field to find openings, and with a big, physical tight end like Eifert sitting down in zones and working up the seam, Manning's job would be considerably easier. The Notre Dame tight end prospect is like Jason Witten as a pass-catcher, and while he doesn't yet have similar blocking chops, he improved greatly in that regard between the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

If Eifert can live up to his lofty pre-draft hype, the Giants offense will have a new weapon that few NFL defenders have the size and strength to stop in coverage.

20. Chicago Bears

One of the major questions of the first round will be where Manti Te'o comes off the board. And yes, that will be only a first-round question, because he won't make it until Round 2.

Te'o is enigmatic, for sure, and he now comes with more media attention than anyone would like, but he's also one of the safer picks in this year's class. For the Chicago Bears and their massive need for an inside linebacker, that's a great combination.

There is a natural connection between Chicago and Notre Dame, and the Bears' strong locker room—with veteran leaders like Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers—will be an ideal situation for Te'o as he tries to work his way past the "catfishing" scandal and move on as a football player.

And be sure of this: The first time he makes a big goal-line stop or interception, no one in Chicago will care about his girlfriend or lack thereof.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

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RT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

When Andre Smith hit free agency, it seemed like the Cincinnati Bengals would quickly re-sign their starting right tackle. But they haven't, and heading into the draft, it's logical to think they could draft his replacement in an effort to get cheaper and potentially better on the right side.

Fluker is a hard-driving, bulldozing player on the offensive line, and he's respected enough that he may not be available here at No. 21 overall. There are some who love his game at guard, but in my book, he starts his career at right tackle, where he started at Alabama.

He's not a left tackle—make no mistake about that—but he has the skill set and power to be a high-level right tackle for a decade. The Bengals would be OK with that.

22. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins)

Cordarrelle Patterson's draft position is tough to nail down from a team perspective. That could lead to a lot of surprises on draft day.

I have Patterson ranked inside the top 10 and as my No. 1 wide receiver, but rumors of poor showings inside team meetings at the NFL combine could hurt his stock and drive him down the board. If so, it's tough to imagine the St. Louis Rams letting him get past them at No. 22.

Patterson is an electric player with amazing open-field agility and change-of-direction skills. There isn't another player like him in this year's class—not with his size and speed, at least. While he is raw as a route-runner, there's good enough athletic ability to turn this one-year starter for the Volunteers into a playmaker on the edge, from the slot and as a return man.

23. Minnesota Vikings

There is a good argument for Xavier Rhodes to be ranked inside the top 15 picks—potentially as high as No. 12 overall to the Miami Dolphins—but that's not the player I see on film.

Rhodes has talent and potential, but in man coverage, he can be stiff and indecisive. In zone coverage, he does play very well, but teams that prefer a zero coverage philosophy may move Rhodes down the board behind guys like Marcus Trufant and D.J. Hayden.

The Vikings would love to replace Antoine Winfield with a drafted player, and if Rhodes is still on the board here, he makes sense, as the team favors taller cornerbacks with nice range. This is an ideal fit for him as a coverage cornerback, and with a good pass rush and nice safety play to help, Rhodes could have a big rookie season as the Vikings' No. 1 cornerback.

24. Indianapolis Colts

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DE Margus Hunt, SMU

Margus Hunt may be the riskiest first-round pick in this class, but he definitely looks like a first-rounder as we sit a few days before the draft.

Hunt is a raw athlete with size and strength that will wake football scouts up when he walks into the room. He's also a versatile football player, as he played every position along the SMU defensive line in his senior season.

There are concerns with Hunt—his age (25 years old) and his relative newness to the game—but you have to love the ceiling he presents as a prospect. You can add 20 pounds to Hunt and have a J.J. Watt-sized defensive end in the 3-4 defense. With his quickness and length, the Indianapolis Colts have to consider him as their pick in the first round.

25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle Seahawks)

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WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

The Minnesota Vikings had considerable turnover at the wide receiver position this offseason, losing Percy Harvin but gaining Greg Jennings. They're essentially back to where they began, which is needing another wide receiver to play opposite their No. 1 guy.

DeAndre Hopkins isn't Percy Harvin, but he offers a downfield threat that is a nice contrast to the underneath game of Jennings. Hopkins can stretch the field with good speed and acceleration, something we've not seen Jennings do in recent years.

The wide receiver position is a major need in Minnesota, and it needs to be addressed in more than one round, but Hopkins gets the team headed in the right direction here.

26. Green Bay Packers

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S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International

When the 2013 first round is over on Thursday night, there's a good chance that Jonathan Cyprien comes off the board much earlier than this. He definitely has the talent to go higher, but in the way my mock draft board fell, there wasn't a better fit for him ahead of pick No. 26.

The Green Bay Packers would be just fine with that, as Cyprien has the hitting ability and range that is missing in their defensive backfield. The team had to be happy with the play of second-year man M.D. Jennings, but Cyprien is on another level as a prospect, and he would give the team much-needed depth at safety by stepping into a starting role and keeping Jennings in dime packages.

Ted Thompson is always tough to mimic as a mock drafter, but we know for sure that he'll draft the highest-rated player on his board, no matter the position they play.

27. Houston Texans

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WR Keenan Allen, California

The Houston Texans have considerable needs for a playoff team, but no one need is greater than their hole at the No. 2 wide receiver position.

Andre Johnson is still one of the best receivers in the game, but as he ages, it becomes tougher for him to separate from double-coverage. Teams are able to slide their safeties over the top and limit what he can do down the field. By adding a quality second receiver, though, it would become much more difficult for that bracket coverage to emerge.

Keenan Allen may not have elite speed on the track, but he's a smooth open-field runner and plays with the vision in space to make plays with his feet. On underneath or upfield routes, he shows strong hands and the ability to separate from defenders.

A PCL injury may hurt Allen's stock and push him down the board, but the Texans have to be looking long and hard at the Cal product if he's available here.

28. Denver Broncos

One of my favorite players in this year's draft, Tank Carradine could come off the board in the teens or fall to the end of Round 1. The lucky team that drafts him will land a fierce pass-rusher and an athlete that is still learning and growing.

Carradine's season ended early with an ACL injury, but since then, he's been working out and rehabbing ahead of schedule. If Carradine can show NFL teams that he's close to a recovery time that would allow him to play early in the 2013 season, his stock could shoot up boards.

With Carradine, the Broncos would have the perfect answer to the defensive end spot opposite Von Miller. He has the strength to play either left or right end, and he is quick enough to hunt the quarterback as a pass-rusher. Fans of AFC West teams should pray this doesn't happen.

29. New England Patriots

The draft season has been tough for Damontre Moore, and as much as any other player in this year's class, his true draft stock may come as a surprise.

Moore started the offseason with a high first-round grade, but further film study pushed him down my board. A poor showing at the NFL Scouting Combine led many in the media to push him down even further. Now, we're looking at Moore as a potential second-rounder.

There may be some overreaction at play, and if he's available for the New England Patriots at No. 29, it's tough to imagine that they would pass on the chance to add a true pass-rusher opposite Chandler Jones. He's also athletic enough to play at outside linebacker should the team move to a 3-4 defense again.

Moore could come off the board inside the top 15, or he could be left waiting to hear his name called heading into the second round, but he would be an incredible value for New England at No. 29.

30. Atlanta Falcons

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CB D.J. Hayden, Houston

The Atlanta Falcons have made big moves this offseason—like adding Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora—but they also lost two cornerbacks in Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson. They do still have Asante Samuel, but this depth chart needs help.

D.J. Hayden is an interesting player, and if you haven't heard his story, it's a bit surreal. Hayden tore a vein in his heart while making a routine tackle in practice last November and nearly bled to death internally before surgeons repaired the tear. That might be enough to scare away NFL teams.

Hayden has talent—based on ability alone, he would be in my top 25 players—but medical red flags are always tough to gauge with 32 general managers making decisions based on information gathered independently of one another. Hayden's cover skills and playmaking ability might be enough to keep him in the first round, but know that his stock will vary wildly from one team to the next.

31. San Francisco 49ers

With 13 picks in the 2013 draft and very few needs, the 49ers can address future needs—much like they did in the 2012 draft—by adding players with elite potential who may need a little seasoning before they're ready to hit the field.

In the case of Datone Jones, he has high-level potential as an edge player in the 3-4 defense, but he's ready to go right now as a contributor.

Jones isn't a need yet in San Francisco, but with Justin Smith getting older and the money getting thinner to spend on players, there could be a need at the position soon. That may be on the right side replacing Smith or on the left replacing Ray McDonald, but there is definitely room for an athletic defensive end like Datone Jones.

32. Baltimore Ravens

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ILB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens lost two starters at the inside linebacker position (Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe). Moving into the NFL draft, that position has to be a focal point for the defense.

Arthur Brown doesn't have ideal inside linebacker metrics, but then again, neither did Ray Lewis coming out of college. He makes up for a lack of size with great instincts when tracking the ball, and he takes the angles that allow him to stop runners in the backfield. That's what the Ravens need on the inside of their 3-4 defense.

This should be a defense-heavy draft in Baltimore as the Ravens attempt to fill in holes left by Lewis, Ellerbe and Ed Reed.